Last month, I took part in the South Dakota Education Association’s education summit. It’s always exciting to see people who are passionate about education come together and share ideas. I am happy that the Department of Education will be working together with SDEA through the Commission on Teaching and Learning in moving the discussion about teacher and principal evaluations forward.

We share a common goal of boosting student success, so it makes sense we band together to discover our full potential and maximize our impact in achieving positive student outcomes.

As you know, the legislative session is in full swing. There has been a flurry of activity recently as the deadline to drop bills passed. We, at the department, are tracking a number of bills, as I’m sure you are. The Legislative Research Council’s website (legis.state.sd.us/index.aspx) is a great resource, and you can check out our Twitter Feed for updates.

Finally, as we celebrate Career and Technical Education Month, I would like to recognize the significant impact that CTE has in providing students with relevant and meaningful educational experiences. Thanks to all those CTE teachers out there for their dedication to students and their programs.

Secretary describes DOE’s focus on student outcomes

In presentations to the House and Senate Education Committees last month, Secretary of Education Melody Schopp outlined the department’s focus on student outcomes.

The department has identified four key student outcome goals that are vital for achieving the overall aspiration that all students should leave the K-12 system college, career and life ready. The student outcome goals are:
1.) All students will enter 4th grade proficient or advanced in reading.
2.) All students will enter 9th grade proficient or advanced in math.
3.) The gap for Native American students is eliminated.
4.) Students graduate high school ready for postsecondary or the workforce.

The four outcomes were identified using the latest research which shows that students who fall behind in key areas, even early on, are less likely to achieve success later in their academic careers or even in the workforce.

Outcome #1: 4th Grade Reading targets
Third grade marks a critical point in a child’s education. It’s the time when students shift from learning to read and begin reading to learn. Research tells us that students who don't read at grade level by 3rd grade are four times more likely to leave high school without a diploma than students who are proficient readers. Poverty only compounds the problem. Children who are not reading proficiently at 3rd grade and who have lived in poverty are three times more likely to drop out or fail to graduate than those who have never been poor.

Outcome #2: Math targets
A firm grasp of math is necessary throughout a student’s academic career, because concepts build upon one another and become increasingly complex. Research clearly indicates a correlation between taking higher-level math courses and success at the postsecondary level. One study found that students who had taken Algebra II in high school were twice as likely to earn a bachelor’s degree as those who had not.

Outcome #3: Eliminating the gap
In South Dakota, there is a 28-point difference between how our Native American and white students perform on the National Assessment of Educational Progress – Reading at 4th grade. The gap widens to 29 points at 8th grade. Furthermore, students living in poverty are three times more likely to drop out of high school or fail to graduate on time. And students who are poor readers and live in poverty are the hardest hit; they are six times at a greater risk to drop out than their proficient counterparts.

Outcome #4: Graduation prep
Nationwide, surveys show that many high school graduates do not meet employers’ standards in a variety of academic areas, as well as in employability skills such as attendance, teamwork and collaboration, and work habits. In South Dakota, 28 percent of students who enter our public universities need to complete some sort of remedial work prior to taking college-level courses in English and math. State-level focus can connect the secondary school experience with postsecondary, both two-year and four-year institutions, as well as the world of work.

Department to release District Readiness Tool

Common Core professional development – now what? The South Dakota Department of Education will be hosting a meeting for curriculum directors and principals on Feb. 7 in Fort Pierre to offer them a chance to interact with a draft Common Core District Readiness Tool.

The tool is designed to help guide districts through implementing the Common Core Standards. The goal of the tool is to identify steps and decisions districts can be take or consider outside of sending their teachers to professional development. A few of the steps/decisions identified in the planning tool are: review current resources and supplemental materials for alignment to the new standards; discuss the option to implement standards-based report cards; develop a district curriculum and assessment plan.

The Readiness tool is a conversation starter and planning tool used by a leadership team. The tool will help districts plan over the next three years to create a Common Core implementation timeline. Full implementation of Common Core cannot take place in one single year. Upon creating an implementation plan districts can plan for financial needs, inservices, implementation of new programs or structures, etc.

“The District Readiness tool will allow districts to have local conversations and paint a picture of where they’re at and next steps or decisions they could take,” said Becky Nelson, Curriculum Administrator with the Department of Education.

Contact Becky Nelson for more information.

Commission on Teaching and Learning launched

Educators from across South Dakota came together last month to look at the best strategies to support students and teachers in the classroom. Participants gathered in Fort Pierre and via technology at an event hosted by the South Dakota Education Association.

At the conclusion of the summit, SDEA President Sandy Arseneault announced the formation of a Commission on Teaching and Learning, which is a partnership of SDEA, the Associated School Boards of South Dakota, the School Administrators of South Dakota, and the South Dakota Department of Education. Arseneault said the Commission’s goal is to create a blueprint for quality instruction in South Dakota.

The commission’s first task will be to continue the work begun this past summer to develop model teacher and principal evaluation systems that districts may choose to use.

“Two work groups made significant progress this summer in developing evaluation systems that honor our teachers and principals as professionals and support them in their ongoing growth,” said South Dakota’s Secretary of Education Dr. Melody Schopp. “This new Commission would answer some final questions and wrap up this important work. Ultimately, then, districts would have valid state-recommended models that they could choose to implement locally.”

Both Arseneault and Schopp believe the collaborative effort will translate into positive things for students. “Through the commission, I hope we create a foundation for all stakeholders to come together to support positive student outcomes,” said Arseneault. “If we stay focused on the students, I know the Commission’s work will be valuable to our state.”

Nominations sought for Outstanding Biology Teacher Award

Nominations are now being accepted for the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award, which honors teachers of the life sciences. They do not need to have a majority of their class load in the life sciences; however they just have to have consistently taught and currently teach life sciences.

Criteria for Selection
1. Candidates must be presently teaching biology/life science and must have devoted a significant
portion of his/her career to the teaching of biology/life science.
2. Candidates from public, private, and parochial schools are eligible.
3. A minimum of three years of teaching experience is mandatory before applying for the award.
4. Candidates need not be members of National Association of Biology Teachers.
5. Unsuccessful candidates may be re-nominated from year to year.
6. Candidates may receive the award more than once, after 10 years.

A Selection Committee consisting of college biologists, school administrators, high school life science teachers, and possibly scientists from industry or government will help choose the state winner.

To nominate a teacher, email the following information to South Dakota Science Teachers Association President elect Julie Olson.
1. Name of nominee and school where he/she teaches
2. Email address and phone number of nominee
3. Your (nominator’s) name and email address or other contact information

The nominee will get an email detailing the guidelines to apply. Award applications must be completed by March 15. Last year's recipient was Jan Palmer of Aberdeen High School.

Ten South Dakota teachers earn profession’s top honor

Ten South Dakota classroom teachers are among the nearly 4,980 elementary and secondary school teachers nationwide to achieve National Board Certification in 2012. The achievement raises the number of National Board Certified Teachers in South Dakota to 99.

South Dakota’s 2012 recipients include:
• Katie Anderson, Science/Early Adolescence, Rapid City Area School District
• Lindsey Brewer, Mathematics/Adolescence and Young Adulthood, Huron School District
• Sandra Dalton, Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood, Todd County School District
• Amy Engel, Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood, Todd County School District
• Denise Farley, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Todd County School District
• Lee Ann Fischer, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Shannon County School District
• Katey Lee-Swank, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Rapid City Area School District
• Stacy Otten, Career and Technical Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood, Andes Central School District
• Jennifer Roberts, Art/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood, Belle Fourche School District
• Anne Zoellner, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Groton School District

National Board Certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based, peer-reviewed assessment of a teacher's pedagogical skills and content knowledge. The certification process takes one to three years to complete. While licensing standards set the basic requirements to teach in a state, National Board Certified teachers demonstrate advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices similar to the certifications earned by experts in law and medicine.

For more information about National Board Certification, contact Lanette Johnston.

Nominations sought for School Resource Officer of the Year

Nominations are now being accepted for this year’s School Officer of the Year Award. The South Dakota Association of School Resource Officers, or SDASRO, is glad to support this annual award, in its 5th consecutive year.

SDASRO, which began in 2007, strives for great working relationships between school officers and school personnel. The officer picked for this award should display professionalism, dedication and commitment to their respective school or district.

The SDASRO Executive Board will make the selection from those nominated, and may call the prospective recipient’s school district and/ or employer to get supervisor appraisals. The nominees will be announced at the annual conference.

Nominations must be postmarked by March 8 in order to be considered and must include a letter of recommendation of no more than 400 words in length. Click here to download the nomination form and complete instructions for submission.

Hot Topics

February is CTE month

Each February, students and teachers across South Dakota and the nation take time to recognize the value of career and technical education. As has become tradition in South Dakota, officers of the Career and Technical Student Organizations will visit the Capitol in Pierre next week to showcase CTE.

Legislature debates school sentinels, ESA funding

The 2013 legislative session is underway. Education committees have heard bills related to ESA funding (SB 76), and school sentinels, HB 1087. Find the latest updates related to any 2013 bills at http://legis.state.sd.us/index.aspx, and for brief education-related updates, follow the South Dakota Department of Education on Twitter.

The South Dakota Department of Education is providing workshops for the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects. Teachers of all content areas for grades 6-12 are welcome to attend. Participants will learn foundational components found in Common Core for ALL content areas. The workshops will include understanding of the standards as well as strategies for implementation.

Deadline for registrations is two weeks prior to the training date, and a minimum of 20 participants is required. Graduate credit is available. To find times, location and registration information for all workshop dates, go to: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGtLN0FBZHVWUHZ6eTVWX0NnRmVOYXc6MA.

Method Test Prep training

Feb. 20, Rapid City

The department is hosting trainings on Method Test Prep. Method Test Prep is a free online ACT Test Prep that is available to students through SDMyLife. The trainings also will include information about the National Career Readiness Certificate. Through a pilot program with the Department of Labor and Regulation, many schools have already started to bring the NCRC opportunity to their students with great success. Contact Alyssa Krogstrand with any questions.

Professionals – Challenging Behaviors: Helping all children be successful

Feb. 26 – March 1, Various locations statewide

Why do some children “lose it” over seemingly insignificant issues? What do you do when they won’t listen and even cover their ears? What do you do when everyday activities turn into battles no one wins? Challenging behaviors are about feelings and needs and the physical reactions they generate within the body. Recognizing the “physiology” of behavior and working with the resulting emotions is the key to stopping those behaviors before they ever start. Sponsored by the South Dakota Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs, five contact hours will be available to attendees.

Join Dr. Mary Sheedy Kurcinka to discover:
• The link between physiology and behavior
• How to build a relationship that keeps children working with you, even during tough times
• The REAL culprits behind challenging behaviors
• Effective strategies to help kids keep their cool and work cooperatively with others
• The pleasure of helping EVERY child be successful

Participants will learn to navigate and incorporate the features of SDMyLife that are best suited to middle school students. Included in this three-hour hands-on session will be the basics of accessing and utilizing middle school specific SDMyLife content, as well as lesson plans, instructional strategies, and implementation ideas ideal for middle school counselors, teachers, and career exploration classes. Continuing education units are available.

To register, go to: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e6r5btkme050ea5d&llr=eviduvhab, or contact Alyssa Krogstrand for more information.

SDMyLife: Customizing to fit your school

March 5 in Sioux Falls OR March 25 in Mobridge

Spend a morning with DOE’s Career Development team to find out ways to you can make SDMyLife work at your school. We encourage districts to send teams of two or three individuals. Create a plan for how SDMyLife can be incorporated in different classrooms and become a shared responsibility. For example, one teacher can facilitate the Career Matchmaker and another can start Personal Learning Plans. Take away some plans and activities as well as network and share your plans and ideas with other SDMyLife educators. Continuing education units are available.

To register go to: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e6r5bt3fa729932e&llr=eviduvhab, or contact Alyssa Krogstrand for more information.

SDMyLife Network: Connecting students to the workforce

March 25, Mobridge

To help students identify their career path, transition successfully into post-secondary education and careers, and prepare to be productive citizens of the community, it is important for them to understand what the workforce demands. And who better knows the needs of employers than the employers themselves? You will learn how to leverage the expertise of employers to provide your students the information, advice, and encouragement they need. We will demonstrate how you can implement activities in the classroom to facilitate discussion forums between your students and career coaches in their careers of interest. Continuing education units are available.

To register, go to: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e6r5cp3pbc7b9a22&llr=eviduvhab, or contact Alyssa Krogstrand for more information.

2013 Middle/High School (6-12) Science Academies

June 12 – July 11, Various locations statewide

South Dakota teachers will model three-dimensional instruction (Three Dimensions: Scientific and Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Crosscutting Concepts from the Framework for K-12 Science Education and NGSS) through activities and provide video evidence of this instruction occurring in South Dakota classrooms. The video footage is based on model lessons that have been aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards and South Dakota Science Standards.

Teachers will leave with three-dimensional lessons that can be immediately implemented and will gain an understanding of the vision for science education in South Dakota. Teachers also will leave the training with knowledge of the three-dimensional lesson-building process, which they can use to advance their curriculum.

This is a two-day regional training for middle school and high school science teachers. There are 10 locations with two trainings occurring per location. At each location, one training will be for middle school and one training will be for high school. Up to 60 teachers will be accommodated at each location, with 30 at each training. Stipends of $125/day, available through the Investing in Teachers effort, will be paid to each attending science teacher, for no more than two days of training. Therefore, teachers should only sign up for one training. A minimum of 20 teachers will be required to host a training.

Graduate credit will be available. More information will be sent out, post-registration, including what to bring, graduate credit information, specific location details, etc.